Animal tail holder

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for retaining the tail of an animal (e.g. a cow) in an upright forward position so as to render the hind legs of the cow generally immovable. The apparatus includes a generally A-shaped frame having adjustable legs attached to an upper frame portion and which are positionable on the rump of a cow. A channel member suitable for receiving the tail of a cow therein is attached to the upper frame portion in a spaced, rearward relationship therewith. The A-shaped frame and the attached channel member are retained in a generally upright position by an adjustable length chain which is attached to the holder frame and secured to an immovable object (e.g. a stanchion).

United States Patent 1191 Peterson 1 June 5, 1973 [54] ANIMAL TAILHOLDER Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerJ. N. Eskovitz76 I t W ll Pt R. 1 men or z g arson t Boycevme Attorney-Thomas L.Johnson and Thomas M.

d Meshbesher [22] Flle Oct. 8, 1971 ABSTRACT [2!] Appl' 187683 Apparatusfor retaining the tail of an animal (e.g. a cow) in an upright forwardposition so as to render the [52] U.S.Cl .....1l9/105 hind legs of thecow generally immovable. The ap- [51] Int. Cl. ..A0lk 13/00 paratusincludes a generally A-shaped frame having [58] Field of Search..119/105, 96; 54/22 adjustable g attached to n pper fram por i n andwhich are positionable on the rump of a cow. A channel member suitablefor receiving the tail of a cow [56] Ref enc Cit d therein is attachedto the upper frame portion in a spaced, rearward relationship therewith.The A- U E STATES PATENTS shaped frame and the attached channel memberare 1,047,802 12 1912 1-1 kl t 1. retained in a ?Y Plight by adjusta'351,851 1111886 Lz z j I I I I I ble length chain which is attached tothe holder frame 2,762,334 9/1956 "119/96 and secured to an immovableobject (e.g. a 2,740,380 4/1956 Johnson ..119/1os stanchion)- 3,035,5465/l962 Peters ..1 19/105 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures ANIMAL TAIL HOLDERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the animals hind legs.

It is known within the art that a partial paralysis of the hind legs ofsome particular animals (e.g. cattle) can be effected by maintaining thetail of the animal in an upright-forward position. 80 paralysized, theanimal is rendered unable to kick or move about on its hind legs.Apparatus which accomplishes such partial paralysis is highly useful innumerous different situations. For instance, this type of apparatusfinds highly advantageous application in (l) the initial milking ofheifers, (2) milking and treating cows with injured teats, (3)depositing semen during artificial breeding, and (4) in working withcattle which are in a generally nervous condition such as is frequentlypresent during minor teat surgery, and the administration of injectionsin the animal.

2. Description of the Prior Art Apparatus in the form of a tail sling ispresently available for maintaining the tail of a cow in an uprightforward position thereby causing partial paralysis of the cows hindlegs. See, US. Pat. No. 2,740,380. Although this tail sling represents asignificant improvement over the various chain and shackle arrangementspositionable about the ankles of a cow to prevent leg-kicking action, ithas not been entirely satisfactory. For one reason, the apparatusrequires the placement of various straps, harnesses and associatedbuckles on the cow prior to the positioning of the sling about the tail.During the placement of the straps, etc., the user is exposed toconsiderable danger as a result of the fact that the cow remains free tokick and generally move about. Finally, even when the tail sling isproperly positioned, it is subject to dislocation (including totaldetachment) and, thus, allowing the cow to unexpectantly kick anadjacent party.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tail holderwhich is positionable upon the rump of an animal so as to securelymaintain the tail of the animal in an upright, forward position. Thetail holder apparatus includes frame means having first and second legportions positionable in an upright manner on the rump of an animal onopposite sides of the backbone thereof. Channel means suitable forreceiving the tail of an animal therein are secured to the frame in aspaced, rearward relationship with the frame leg portions. The frame ispreferably retained in its upright position on the rump of the animal bya chain-like element having a first end attached to the forward side ofthe frame and a second end suitable for attachment to a generallyimmovable object (e.g. the animal's stanchion). Preferably, thischain-like element has a readily variable length so as to allowadjustment thereof for properly retaining the channel means in itsgenerally upright position. Further, the legs of the frame preferablyhave an adjustable length and one leg is pivotably attached to an upperframe portion so as to allow proper positioning of the frame on the rumpof various size animals.

The apparatus described summarily above securely retains the tail of ananimal, such as a cow, in an upright forward position. Of greatimportance is the fact that this is obtained without the necessity ofpositioning straps and buckles about the cow prior to the positioning ofthe tail holder. Instead, the tail holder is held in its uprightposition by an adjustable chain which does not contact the cow, but isattached to any adjacent immovable object (e.g. a cow stanchion).Furthermore, the adjustable frame legs allow the apparatus to be readilyadjusted to properly fit different size cattle. Other advantages of myinvention, such as its relatively simple construction, will becomeapparent from the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thetail holder provided by the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the present invention shownretaining the tail of an animal in an upright forward position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to thedrawings, the present invention provides cattle restraining apparatus,generally designated 10 for holding the tail ll of a cow 12 in anupright forward position. While finding a particular desirableapplication in the restraining of cattle, the present apparatus can beutilized on numerous other types of animals as well. As shown, cattlerestraining apparatus 10 generally includes a tail holder 14 and achain-like element 15 attached to the tail holder 14 for retaining it inthe manner subsequently described.

More specifically, tail holder or retainer 14 includes first and secondleg members 20 and 21, respectively, and a transverse bar member 22extending between legs 20 and 21 so as to define a lower frame portionin the form ofa generally A-shaped body. Each of the legs 20 and 21include an upper leg portion 20a, 21a, and a lower leg portion 20b, 21b,respectively. Lower leg portions 20b and 21b are in the form of a hollowcylindrically-shaped tube having an inner dimension suitable forslideably receiving therein the respective upper leg portions 20a and21a so as to allow adjustment of the overall length of legs 20 and 21. Aset screw 25 in each of the lower leg portions 20b and 21b is engageablewith the respective upper leg portions 20a and 21a for fixedly securingthe lower leg portion to the respective upper leg portion afterselection of the desired leg length.

Similar to legs 20 and 2], cross bar 22 includes a first bar portion 22awhich is slideably receivable within a second bar portion 22b to allowadjustment of the overall length of cross bar 22. A set screw 28 in barportion 22b engages bar portion 22a to secure the two portions afterselection of the desired transverse length for bar 22. As shown, each ofthe outer ends of the bar portions 22a and 22b are pivotably hinged tolegs 20 and 21, respectively. This pivoting action is provided by a pin30 extending through each of the respective legs and which is journalledwithin the two fingers of the bifurcated outer end portion of each ofthe bar portions 22a and 22b.

The upper end of each of the legs 20 and 21 is attached to an upperframe portion 35. As shown, this upper frame portion 35 includes a barmember 35a extending transversely between the upper ends of legs 20 and21 generally parallel to transverse bar 22 and two bar members 35b and350 extending horizontally rearward from the upper ends of legs 20 and21, respectively. Preferably, the bar members 35a, 35b and 35c areintegrally formed, defining a generally U- shaped frame portionextending rearwardly in a plane essentially normal to the plane of theA-shaped frame portion defined by legs 20 and 21 and cross bar 22. Theleg 20 is pivotably attached to the bar member 35b by pivotal attachmentmeans in the form of a tubular sleeve member 38 rotatable about the barmember 35b. The upper end of leg 20 is attached to sleeve 38 by anysuitable means (e.g. spot welding). A tubular member 42 is inserted ontobar member 35b and is rigidly fastened thereto so as to maintain therotatable sleeve 38 in the position shown. Unlike rotatable leg 20, theleg 21 is rigidly attached (e.g. spot welded) to the bar member 35c.

A channel-like member 50 of suitable size for receiving the tail of acow therein is attached to the rearward most end of the upper frameportion 35. As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, the rearward end portionsof the bar members 3512 and 35c are turned transversely inward towardeach other so as to allow more secure attachment of channel-like member50 to the frame (e.g. by spot-welding). The channel member 50 has agenerally U-shaped transverse cross-section and is mounted so that theopen face thereof is directed toward the forward portion of the tailholder 14. Although the channel member 50 is shown as a substantiallystraight member, it should also be understood that various alternativedesigns (e.g. a slightly arcuate configuration) can also be utilized.

The chain-like member 15 includes a first end connected to a U-shapedhook 55 having the two ends thereof attached to the forward side of thetransverse bar member 35a. As shown, this first end of chain 15 isfixedly connected to hook 55, but means for allowing removeableconnection can also be utilized. The second end of the chain-like member15 extends through a pulley 58 which is attached to an adjacent,immovable object such as the stanchion 60 provided for cow 12.Preferably, the chain 15 includes a member, such as a hook 62 having ahandle 63 attached thereto, connected to the end of the chain forallowing adjustment of the length of chain 15. As shown, hook 62 isdetachably connectable to different ones of the links of chain 15thereby allowing the length of chain 15 to be readily adjusted. However,other means, such as a rope and pulley arrangement, can also beutilized. As can be readily appreciated, the attachment of the chain 15to stanchion 60 eliminates the necessity of positioning straps,harnesses, and associated buckles about the cow 12 prior to thepositioning of tail holder 14.

The cattle restraining apparatus is utilized as follows. The tail holder14 is slid over the tail ll of cow 12 so that the tail extends betweenthe channel 50 and bar members 35a, 35b and 350. The legs 20 and 21 arethen adjusted (i.e. for both vertical length and transverse position sothat the lower ends of the legs are stably positioned on the rump of cow12 on opposite sides of the backbone thereof. After this adjustment andthe tightening of set screws 25 and 28, the unconnected end of chain ispulled through pulley 58 toward the tail of cow 12 so as to position andretain the tail holder 14 in a generally upright position. In thisposition, the

and the hook 62 is then connected to a link of chain 15 so as to providea chain length which maintains this position of tail 11. So long as thetail holder 14 retains tail 1] in this upright, forward position, thehind legs of cow 12 are rendered generally immobile. Preferably, priorto the adjustment of the length of chain 15, cow 12 is moved forward asfar as possible within stanchion 60 so as to further restrict itsmovement after the positioning of tail holder 14. The apparatus 10 isremoved by simply reversing the above procedure.

Since my invention has been described solely in the context of apreferred embodiment thereof, it is my in tent to be limited only by thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for restraining the movement of an animal by holding thetail of the animal in a generally up- .right forward position,comprising:

a. frame means including a portion thereof engageable with the rump ofthe animal on opposite sides of the backbone thereof;

b. a channel-like member secured to said frame means in a spacedrearward relationship therewith and suitable for receiving the tail ofan animal therein when said frame means is positioned in a generallyupright position on the rump of an animal; and

c. a chain-like element having a first end connectable to said framemeans, a second end engageable with a remotely positionedlength-adjusting means for adjusting the position of said frame means byadjusting the length from said first end to said lengthadjusting means,whereby said length-adjusting means is connected to said frame meansonly by said chain-like element, and

(1. means associated with said length-adjusting means for connectingsaid length-adjusting means to a generally immovable object adjacent tosaid length adjusting means.

2. The animal restraining apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

a. said frame means includes an upper and lower frame portion, saidupper frame portion extending rearwardly outward from adjacent the upperend of said lower frame portion and said lower frame portion havingfirst and second leg members suitable for engaging the rump of an animalon opposite sides of the backbone thereof.

3. Apparatus for retaining the tail of an animal, comprising:

a. frame means including upper and lower frame portion, said lower frameportion including first and second elongated leg members positionable onthe rump of an animal on opposite sides of the backbone thereof, theupper end of one of said first and second leg members being pivotallyconnected to said upper frame portion and each of said first and secondlegs including a first portion slideably receivable within a secondportion so as to allow adjustment of the overall length thereof, saidlower frame portion furtherincluding a transverse bar extending betweensaid first and second leg members and having the oppositely disposedends thereof each pivotally connected to a different one of said firstand second leg members, said transverse bar including a first portionslideably receivable within a second portion thereof to allow adjustmentof the overall length of the transverse member;

b. a channel-like member attached to said frame means in a rearwardlyspaced relationship therewith and suitable for receiving an animal tailtherein;

c. means attached to said frame means suitable for connecting to meansfor retaining the frame means in a position on the rump of an animal sothat said channel-like member retains the tail of the animal in agenerally upright, forward position.

4. The animal tail retaining apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

a. said means attached to said frame means is an elongated elementattached to said frame means at one end thereof,

b. said retaining means includes a length-adjusting means engageablewith the opposite end of said elongated element for adjusting thelengthof said elongated element.

5. Apparatus for restraining the movement of an animal by holding thetail of the animal in a generally upright forward position, comprising:

a. frame means including an upper and lower frame portion, said lowerframe portion having a generally A-shape defined by first and second legmembers and a transverse member extending therebetween, said first andsecond leg members being suitable for engaging the rump of an animal onopposite sides of the backbone thereof, and said upper frame portionbeing attached to the upper ends of said first and second legs of saidlower frame portion and extending rearwardly outward therefrom;

b. a channel-like member attached to said upper frame portion adjacent arearward end thereof, said channel-like member being suitable forreceiving the tail of an animal therein when said lower frame portion ispositioned in a generally upright position on the rump of an animal; and

c. an elongated element having a first end connectable to said framemeans and extendable in a forward direction therefrom, a second endconnectable to a generally immoveable object, and having meansassociated therewith for adjusting the length thereof so as to retainsaid channel-like member in a generally upright position on the rump ofthe animal.

6. The animal restraining apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

a. said first and second leg members each include a first portionslideably receivable within a second portion so as to allow adjustmentof the overall length thereof;

b. said upper frame portion includes attachment means for pivotallyconnecting the upper end of one of said first and second legs to saidupper frame portion; and

c. said transverse member includes a first portion slideably receivablewithin a second portion for allowing adjustment of the overall lengththereof and means associated with the outer ends of said member forpivotally connecting the ends thereof to the respective ones of saidfirst and second legs.

1. Apparatus for restraining the movement of an animal by holding thetail of the animal in a generally upright forward position, comprising:a. frame means including a portion thereof engageable with the rump ofthe animal on opposite sides of the backbone thereof; b. a channel-likemember secured to said frame means in a spaced rearward relationshiptherewith and suitable for receiving the tail of an animal therein whensaid frame means is positioned in a generally upright position on therump of an animal; and c. a chain-like element having a first endconnectable to said frame means, a second end engageable with a remotelypositioned length-adjusting means for adjusting the position of saidframe means by adjusting the length from said first end to saidlength-adjusting means, whereby said length-adjusting means is connectedto said frame means only by said chain-like element, and d. meansassociated with said length-adjusting means for connecting saidlength-adjusting means to a generally immovable object adjacent to saidlength adjusting means.
 2. The animal restraining apparatus of claim 1wherein: a. said frame means includes an upper and lower frame portion,said upper frame portion extending rearwardly outward from adjacent theupper end of said lower frame portion and said lower frame portionhaving first and second leg members suitable for engaging the rump of ananimal on opposite sides of the backbone thereof.
 3. Apparatus forretaining the tail of an animal, comprising: a. frame means includingupper and lower frame portion, said lower frame portion including firstand second elongated leg members positionable on the rump of an animalon opposite sides of the backbone thereof, the upper end of one of saidfirst and second leg members being pivotally connected to said upperframe portion and each of said first and second legs including a firstportion slideably receivable within a second portion so as to allowadjustment of the overall length thereof, said lower frame portionfurther including a transverse bar extending between said first andsecond leg members and having the oppositely disposed ends thereof eachpivotally connected to a different one of said first and second legmembers, said transverse bar including a first portion slideablyreceivable within a second portion thereof to allow adjustment of theoverall length of the transverse member; b. a channel-like memberattached to said frame means in a rearwardly spaced relationshiptherewith and suitable for receiving an animal tail therein; c. meansattached to said frame means suitable for connecting to means forretaining the frame means in a position on the rump of an animal so thatsaid channel-like member retains the tail of the animal in a generallyupright, forward position.
 4. The animal tail retaining apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein: a. said means attached to said frame means is anelongated element attached to said frame means at one end thereof, b.said retaining means includes a length-adjusting means engageable withthe opposite end of said elongated element for adjusting the length ofsaid elongated element.
 5. Apparatus for restraining the movement of ananimal by holding the tail of the animal in a generally upright forwardposition, comprising: a. frame means including an upper and lower frameportion, said lower frame portion having a generally A-shape defined byfirst and second leg members and a transverse member extendingtherebetween, said first and second leg members being suitable forengaging The rump of an animal on opposite sides of the backbonethereof, and said upper frame portion being attached to the upper endsof said first and second legs of said lower frame portion and extendingrearwardly outward therefrom; b. a channel-like member attached to saidupper frame portion adjacent a rearward end thereof, said channel-likemember being suitable for receiving the tail of an animal therein whensaid lower frame portion is positioned in a generally upright positionon the rump of an animal; and c. an elongated element having a first endconnectable to said frame means and extendable in a forward directiontherefrom, a second end connectable to a generally immoveable object,and having means associated therewith for adjusting the length thereofso as to retain said channel-like member in a generally upright positionon the rump of the animal.
 6. The animal restraining apparatus of claim5 wherein: a. said first and second leg members each include a firstportion slideably receivable within a second portion so as to allowadjustment of the overall length thereof; b. said upper frame portionincludes attachment means for pivotally connecting the upper end of oneof said first and second legs to said upper frame portion; and c. saidtransverse member includes a first portion slideably receivable within asecond portion for allowing adjustment of the overall length thereof andmeans associated with the outer ends of said member for pivotallyconnecting the ends thereof to the respective ones of said first andsecond legs.